February 14th 2006

Smoking will be banned in all public indoor spaces in the U.K., including pubs and restaurants, starting in mid-2007.

Offered three plans, Parliament's House of Commons voted 384-184 in favor of the toughest option, rejecting proposals to allow smoking in private clubs or pubs that don't serve food. Prime Minister Tony Blair was among those voting for the total ban.

Businesses that violate the law will face fines of up to £2,500

"This is the most important advance in public health since Sir Richard Doll identified that smoking causes lung cancer 50 years ago," said Alex Markham, CEO of Cancer Research UK. However, smokers'-rights groups and the tobacco industry criticized the move for limiting personal freedom.

Other European nations, including Ireland and Scotland, have passed similar laws. Seventy percent of Britons said they supported the ban.

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